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Mal, a rescue Border Collie, made it clear she had other plans when her dad tried to relax on the couch and watch a movie. The persistent pup repeatedly got in her dad’s space — even falling off the couch from her efforts — to keep him from paying attention to the screen. She nipped and howled and generally made a nuisance of herself to make sure all eyes remained on her. I wonder: would Mal be as distracting for just any old film, or was it because the movie her dad was trying to watch was Dog, starring Channing Tatum and a rather charming German Shepherd? Border Collies are known to be very smart canines…
Viewers love Mal and were particularly taken with the fact that she seemed to hold her human responsible for her rolling off the couch.
“[She] definitely blamed you for that fall,” joked one fan.
“Knocked [herself] over and said, ‘Look what you did!!!’” laughed another.
The final funny straw came when Mal forced what I can only imagine was a damp, unappealing toy on her exasperated dad. He immediately replied, “I don’t want that!”
Mal is nothing if not entertaining!
Related: Dachsund’s Determination to Snuggle With Dad Is Too Cute to Resist
Border Collies: The Brainiest Breed
Border Collies like Mal didn’t just accidentally become known as the smartest dog breed — they were built for it. The breed developed along the border of Scotland and England, where shepherds relied on dogs that could think independently while herding sheep across large areas. Instead of barking or chasing, Border Collies used body language and an intense stare to control livestock, which required focus, problem-solving, and quick decision-making.
Researchers often measure canine intelligence by how quickly a dog learns a command and how reliably they obey it. Border Collies stand out dramatically: they can learn new commands in fewer than five repetitions and respond correctly about 95% of the time — far faster than the average dog.
Their intelligence comes from two strengths: strong herding instincts and “adaptive intelligence,” meaning they learn from experience and solve problems on their own.
In general, dogs are often said to have an intelligence level similar to a toddler — roughly comparable to a 2-year-old child. But Border Collies take that a step further.
This famously brainy breed is often considered closer to the cognitive ability of a 4-year-old. In practical terms, that means they can learn more commands, understand complex cues, and carry out multi-step tasks far more easily than many other dogs.
The catch? All that brainpower needs an outlet. Border Collies require both physical exercise and mental stimulation, or they’ll invent their own jobs — sometimes by herding kids, pets, or dads just trying to decompress by watching a harmless film.
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Feb 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
